From the beginning of two-a-days through game week preparations, Greenwood head coach Shad Hanna noticed a different attitude in his team compared to a year ago.

Going through a 2-8 season will probably change many attitudes in a hurry.

“It’s more that they don’t want to be 2-8,” Hanna said. “They don’t want to be standing on the sidelines or sitting in the stands during playoff time. We had a long meeting at the end of the season last year and talked about what we were bad at. We challenged them all throughout the offseason, summer and two-a-days on those things and kept those things fresh in their minds. They want to be good. They know that (last year) wasn’t acceptable.”

The Rangers hope to get the 2014 season started with a positive when they face a Seminole team, which is also coming off a disappointing 3-7 season, at 8 p.m. today during the ASCO Midland Football Madness.

Greenwood actually started the 2013 season on a positive note as it defeated Kermit, 26-0, in the ASCO Midland Football Madness. But the Rangers never built off that momentum, instead tumbling to one of their worst seasons in the program’s history.

“Last year was a kick in the face and it made you feel like dirt,” said Greenwood junior running back/linebacker Jake Rogers. “We’re really motivated this year to get back in the playoffs this year, taking it step by step and day by day.”

That’s why the Rangers believe it’s important to not only get a win under their belts in the season opener but maintain that momentum throughout what they hope will be a bounce-back season.

“This year we want turn that around, keep the momentum going and see if we can get to the playoffs,” junior center Jesus Rodriguez said. “I know it’s thinking ahead, but we want to get the momentum going early and not too late.”

Rodriguez said the biggest difference from last year comes from the team’s leadership among its players.

“We have more experience and people don’t get down on each other,” he said. “We motivate each other better even if we don’t feel like it sometimes.”

Added Rogers: “I think we’re pulling more as a team this year. There’s a lot more chemistry going on. We got a lot of upperclassmen coming together and picking everybody up.”

For Seminole, the Indians have been going through a transition with first-year head coach Kent Jackson, who arrived after three seasons at Lubbock Coronado and a successful tenure in Sweetwater. Jackson said the kids have shorter memories than the adults do about last season.

“The people that were here last year and everybody else wants to win more games,” he said. “At the same time, this new journey starts this year. This is as much about trying to come together. So far I’ve been real proud of these kids. The two things I worry most about as a coach are effort and attitudes and the kids have put forth a great effort and attitude every day. That’s all anybody can ask for.”

While there will still be nine more games after this one, including the important district games, for each of these teams, the Rangers believe that getting a win in the first game would be huge from a mental standpoint.

“It’s not do-or-die but a win would be great,” Hanna said. “You always want to win your first game. It would go a long ways confidence-wise because next week is going to be another tough one in Brownfield. “

Rogers agreed that this first game is big for his team.

“We got some younger guys that need to get the jitters out of them, but this will set the tone for the rest of the season,” he said.

Last meeting/series: Greenwood owns a 9-8 record in the all-time series but Seminole won the last meeting in 2011, 48-14

Weather forecast: A temperature of 86 is expected at kickoff with a 50 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms

Five things you need to know

- Greenwood coach Shad Hanna said his team had good scrimmages against Andrews, Bushland and Alpine but said his Rangers need to be consistent in their offensive execution.

“We execute well at times but then there are times we miss assignments,” Hanna said. “It’s just a matter of practice.”

- The Rangers will start senior Zach Redwine at quarterback. Redwine, who also starts at linebacker for the Rangers, has been the backup QB the previous two seasons. By all indications, Redwine has a nice grasp of the spread offense and Hanna said he’s been a good leader on offense.

- Hanna said the Indians, who run a zone option/wishbone offense and 3-4 defense, looked good in their scrimmage against Pecos and look to have some size and speed, especially from WR/DB Sabraun Adams.

“I think their linebackers are the strength of their defense, so we have to do a good job of protecting,” Hanna said. “Defensively, we’ve got to contain the Adams kid and they’re pretty decent in throwing the football. Our secondary has struggled at times protecting the pass, but we hired some great coaches for those spots and they’re only going to get better.”

- First-year Seminole coach Kent Jackson knows the tradition that Greenwood has had from his time coaching in Sweetwater and adds that the Rangers are the perfect opponent for the first game to see what his team can improve on.

- Jackson said his team will start Jarrett Johnson at quarterback but added that Grant Petty might also see time in the position.